Editor’s Note: Each week we’ll be featuring members of the Photofocus community. Part of our New Year’s resolution is to focus on new and emerging talent. As such, Melissa Niu will personally select images from our readers and feature them here on Photofocus.

“My name is Steinsdotter, and I am a self-taught amateur photographer based in Norway. I have always loved photography, but just recently found my way in this beautiful world of art. Because that’s how I see it, we can create magic! My biggest love is the style of Black & White, and people. So I shoot mostly portraits.

This picture is of my daughter. And belong to a series called ‘The 52 Week Project’, started by the fabolous Jodi over at the blog Practising Simplisity. It’s taken from the outside, looking into our basement. I chose this place because of the cool industrial feel of the window.

I rarely do much editing. Yes, I know, now a days, we can merge two or more pictures to one amazing. But I rather keep mine as they are. I usually just add or remove some brightness and/or contrast.”

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About MelissaNiu

Melissa Niu is a storyteller at heart. Niu's work ranges from her Broadcast Journalism experience at NBC in Seattle to her recent work as a co-founder and host of the photography platform, [FRAMED] Network. Her passion for photography, music and journalistic skills harvests into a massive need to tell a good story. As a mother of three daughters and running multiple businesses, Niu is constantly seeking balance, health, laughter and progression.